Easy reading. Answers a lot of questions about kitchen stuff that you probably never even thought to ask. I don't think you'd have a lot of trouble fiEasy reading. Answers a lot of questions about kitchen stuff that you probably never even thought to ask. I don't think you'd have a lot of trouble finding this information on the Internet if you looked for it. I often found myself saying, "Oh yeah, that is a good question."...more

I found that I was familiar with most of the material already from some writers I've been following (Jonathan Haidt, Stephen Pinker...) but if you areI found that I was familiar with most of the material already from some writers I've been following (Jonathan Haidt, Stephen Pinker...) but if you aren't and are interested in moral psychology, neuroscience, or even moral philosophy, this book is worth your time.

The book is solidly put together from recent research, although, as I think some other reviews have said, since it's an attempt to bring together a lot of disparate research, it does tend to have a "kitchen sink" quality about it. It's not too technical, although it's based in scientific work, so you've got to expect to be patient with yourself and make an effor to understand what you're reading -- if you aren't already facile with such texts.

It's a rich topic. I think it's worth making that effort, if not with this book then with one of the many others out there at the moment....more

Although I think the title of this book is misleading, I enjoyed every minute of it. Don't expect a solid scientific text; rather expect enough of theAlthough I think the title of this book is misleading, I enjoyed every minute of it. Don't expect a solid scientific text; rather expect enough of the science to understand the stories of people and nations throughout the last two centuries involved in the mining or production of nitrogen -- mostly as fertilizer, but also as a weapons (gunpowder, synthetic gasoline, mustard gas) -- then what happened to those actors after they had made their discoveries.

It's only a little about the Third Reich, although, as always, knowing the concrete stories of people affected by its racial laws really drives home how sinister those laws were, independent of the actual murders the regime commited....more

Greenland Chiefs (like those of us in the Post-Industrial World) secured for themA few ideas I take away from reading this book (for the second time):

Greenland Chiefs (like those of us in the Post-Industrial World) secured for themselves the right to be the last to starve to death.

Curiosity and the willingness to try new things have led the people of tiny Tikopia to creating a sustainable ecosystem in a nation with a population density greater than The Netherlands.

Sticking with the Dutch... Life on a polder (where your survival is intertwined with everyone else's) has much to instruct us in putting collective concerns above our private ones.

The American West has more than its share of wing-nuts. The people of Montana, at least at the time Diamond wrote, were receiving $1.50 for every $1 they paid in taxes. Yet, they continued to view to the federal government as a foreign enemy.